Hand sander

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a hand sanding apparatus designed to combine the best features of the prior art and improve upon their limitations by providing an efficient hand sanding tool that is versatile in design and implementation, practical for all applications of sanding.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to sanding tools commonly utilized in several fields including various aspects of carpentry, drywall, and furniture and automobile restoration. More specifically, this invention relates to a hand-sanding tool that combines the best features of all the prior art, including the concept of gloves, and improves upon their limitations to substantially improve the efficiency and versatility of current sanding methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sanding tools are essential for countless trades, from woodworking to drywall to automobile restoration. Currently there are several hand-sanding tools on the market including various hand held tools and abrasive gloves. As illustrated in the description of prior, these tools are limited in their ability to provide an efficient, easily maneuvered hand sanding tool equipped to meet the needs of various applications

[0003] Utilizing a sanding tool that is efficient, versatile, and easily maneuverable is important for all fields that employ sanding methods. A sanding tool that is comfortable to the user's hand, inexpensively manufactured, and capable of completing small or large projects can improve the overall field of sanding.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0004] Abrasive sanding tools are utilized in various applications, which require smoothing, cleaning, feathering, or otherwise finishing a surface. As a result several different sanding tools have been developed in an attempt to provide maximum efficiency in every application. Commonly, the design of hand sanding tools in the prior art, including tools grasped directly in the users hand or tools with handle attachments require the user to strain their hand in order to simultaneously hold the tool and sand the intended surface. Subsequently, the designs of such previous art lead to discomfort and fatigue for the user.

[0005] A further limitation of the prior art is the lack of versatility and flexibility in their design. Due to the wide range of applications that utilize sanding methods, the development and design of sanding tools over the years have focused on one specific application requiring the use of different tools for different projects or the use of various tools for one project.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,243, dated Jan. 26, 1999, Ali disclosed a sanding block which has a first member having an intermediate portion and a pair of relatively flexible ends wherein a top surface of the first member is configured to be hand held and a bottom surface of each of the ends has at least one retention open surface therein and a second relatively rigid member having an intermediate portion connected to the intermediate portion of the first member and a pair of ends wherein a top surface of each end of the second member has extending therefrom at least one complimentary retention protrusion which respectively seat in one of the retention open surfaces and wherein the ends of the second member have a chamfered edge extending about a periphery of the top surface of each end of the second member.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,959, issued Sep. 23, 1998, Donald W. Beaudry discloses a hand-held sanding sponge made from a cellular foam material into a block having a top portion with a non-abrasive surface to ensure a comfortable grip and a bottom portion with an abrasive surface and acutely angled opposed edges, to allow the sponge to be used for sanding the corners and angles of finished drywall.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,012, issued Dec. 21, 1976 to Reuben Ness, discloses a sanding sponge in the form of a cellular plastic cylinder having a layer of abrasive material secured by removable means to its bottom end with an adhesive substance. The bottom end of the sanding sponge may have a variety of curved or angled, contours and the top end of the sponge may have a layer of fibrous material adhered thereto to act as a cushion for the users hand and to be used to remove dust from the surface being treated.

[0009] Subsequent improvements upon the aforementioned prior art included the implementation of handles or grips designed to alleviate the discomfort caused by directly grasping a tool, such as a sanding block or sanding pad.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,248, issued Oct. 8, 1991 to Donald R. Thayer, discloses a hand-held sanding sponge molded from a flexible cellular foam into a block having an easily gripped handle on its top surface and an abrasive layer attached by removable means to its bottom surface. One edge of the bottom surface is acutely angled while the opposed edge is curved to allow the sanding sponge to be used on a variety of surfaces including corners and curved surfaces.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,876, issued Dec. 12, 1989 to David R. Henke, discloses a sanding tool for sanding a flat surface, which has a handgrip, which is interchangeable with a pole grip. The tool is adapted to have sandpaper wrapped around a base member and secured in place by attaching one of the grips to the top of the base member.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,139, issued May 13, 1980 to In S. Hong and Glen E. Roelofs, discloses a hand-held sanding tool comprising a pad having a bottom surface adapted to have an adhesive coated abrasive sheet attached thereto and a top surface having a handle adapted to be wrapped around one or more of a users fingers to hold the pad in place on the users hand. The sanding tool of Hong et al. is intended to minimize the user's discomfort while sanding.

[0013] The inclusion of handles did not, however, enhance the overall flexibility and versatility of the prior art necessary to improve the efficiency of hand sanding tools.

[0014] The concept of implementing gloves in the design of hand sanding tools was intended to relieve the strain of a user's hand caused by having to grasp a tool or handle with their fingers. A further objective in the design of sanding gloves was to utilize the strength, mobility, and control exhibited by the human hand to improve the efficiency and versatility of sanding methods.

[0015] In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 372,111, dated Jul. 30, 1996, Zeigler disclosed the ornamental design for a combined glove and sandpaper.

[0016] In U.S. Pat. No. Des, 310,012, dated Aug. 21, 1990, Henke, et al., disclosed an ornamental design for a hand-held sander.

[0017] In U.S. Pat. No. 256,183 Kupperman, et al. discloses an abrasive glove.

[0018] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,787 Bianchi discloses an abrasive glove.

[0019] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,792 Lamb discloses a sanding glove.

[0020] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,151,333 Scholz discloses an abrasive surfaced glove.

[0021] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,527, dated Feb. 9, 1996, Savage discloses a sanding glove that is formed of flexible material and has sanding material disposed thereabout, and further providing reinforced edges of the glove for allowing the user to sand within crevices.

[0022] The basic design feature of sanding gloves illustrated in the aforementioned prior art commonly consists of a glove worn on the user's hand in which the glove is covered in part or entirely in abrasive material.

[0023] The primary advantage of the sanding glove is the utilization of the natural mobility of the user's hand to control and maneuver the abrasive surface, including utilizing the fingers to sand smaller, more detailed areas.

[0024] A major disadvantage is that the surface area a sanding glove can complete quickly and efficiently is limited by the size and span of the user's hand. Furthermore, an irregularly sanded surface can occur as a result of the application of uneven pressure caused by the variation of strength in the finger, palm, and wrist of the user.

[0025] The current invention is designed to encompass the best features of all the prior art, including the innovation of gloves, to create a hand sanding apparatus that can meet the needs of various sanding applications providing increased comfort, versatility, and control for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hand sanding tools now present in the prior art, the present invention is a hand sanding apparatus designed to combine the best features of the prior art and improve upon their limitations by providing an efficient hand sanding tool that is versatile in design and implementation, practical for all applications of sanding. The present invention is the most innovative hand sanding apparatus ever proposed combining the utilization of the natural mobility of the hand and an easily maneuvered abrasive surface. The majority of hand sanding tools in the prior art has been either a tool grasped in the user's hand, either directly or by a handle, or a type of glove covered partially or entirely in abrasive material.

[0027] In the most basic embodiment the present sanding apparatus is comprised of a glove attached to a platform to which abrasive sheeting is attached. The hand sander fits snuggly onto the user's hand and is secured at the wrist to hold the apparatus in place.

[0028] The preferred embodiment of the present hand sanding apparatus is comprised of a glove, said glove made of a light flexible material, wherein the user's hand lies flat and the fingers are extended and separated with two fingers on either side. There are holes on either side for the user's thumbs to extend through, allowing the apparatus to be worn on either the right or left hand, and providing increased control and maneuverability. The end of the glove is open allowing the user's fingertips to extend outside of the glove, accommodating various hand sizes. The glove is secured to the user's hand by a strap, composed of flexible material fastened at the wrist possibly with a hook and loop fashion such as “Velcro”.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment the aforementioned glove is attached to a platform, rectangular in shape, beginning at the base of the hand right above the wrist and extending beyond the reach of the fingertips. The said platform is flat yet flexible for sanding round or curved areas and is designed to accommodate the natural flexibility of the hand. The said platform is semi-rigid in nature comprised possibly of a “plastic” or “polyurethane” material.

[0030] The aforementioned platform is designed to have various types of abrasive sheeting attached by removable means. The means of attachment for the abrasive sheeting can include removable adhesive, a hook and loop fashion, or other temporary means of attachment.

[0031] Other possible embodiments include variously shaped platforms, which can be either permanently or attached by removable means to the glove, variations in the flexibility of said platform, and variations in the types of abrasive sheeting.

[0032] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0033] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0034] A general object of the present invention is to provide a hand sanding tool which encompasses the best features of all the prior art, including the innovation of gloves, to create a hand sanding apparatus that can meet the needs of various sanding applications providing increased comfort, versatility, and control for the user.

[0035] A general object of the present invention is to provide a hand-sanding tool, which can be used on either hand allowing one hand to be rested from time to time, and allowing one style for both left and right handed users.

[0036] Another general object of the present invention is to provide a hand-sanding tool wherein the user's hand is secured against a semi-rigid platform that covers and extends beyond the user's hand.

[0037] Another general object of the present invention is to provide a hand-sanding tool intended to diminish the user's energy output while improving the efficiency of sanding.

[0038] Another general object of the present invention is to provide a hand sanding capable of meeting a multitude of sanding requirements, including either small or large projects, reducing the need for use of various tools to complete one project.

[0039] A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple hand-sanding tool that can be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0040] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and innovative hand-sanding tool which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such hand-sanding tool economically available to the buying public.

[0041] It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and innovative hand-sanding apparatus that is of durable and reliable constructions.

[0042] A further general object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the sandpaper is easily removed and replaced. The designs of the current invention allow the user to pull the abrasive sheeting from the platform and replace it in seconds.

[0043] A still further general object of the present invention is to provide a hand-sanding tool that utilizes the power versatility, and natural mobility of the human hand and wrist to sand as opposed to the griping of a sanding tool. The object of the current invention is to allow the user the same control and effectiveness without requiring the user to grasp the sanding apparatus in their hand. Therefore, alleviating the fatigue and cramping associated with hand sanding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the posterior of the preferred embodiment of the hand sander constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0045]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the anterior of the preferred embodiment of the hand sander constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0047]FIG. 3 is an alternative perspective view of the hand sander constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0048]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the wrist strap constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved hand sander embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0050] The present invention, the hand sander 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a flat platform, a hand encasement attached to the back of the platform wherein the user's hand can easily and comfortably fit and lie flat against the said platform. The aforementioned hand fitting is secured to the user's hand by a strap attached at the wrist. Abrasive sheeting is attached to the front of the flat platform by a plurality of means. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

[0051] Specifically, the present invention has a hand encasement 12 that has a top section 14 and a palm section 16, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0052] The top section 14 of the hand encasement 12 is formed of a single layered, flexible, durable fabric. The top section 14 of the hand encasement 12 has a proximal end 28 and a distal end 26. The proximal end 28 has a rounded opening 76 (FIG. 1) reinforced by a layer of fabric stitching that begins and ends at the proximal end 28 of the top section 14, allowing for greater mobility of the user's wrist and an easier fit for various hand sizes. The stitched reinforcement begins at the proximal end 28 of the hand encasement 12 just above the wrist strap and continues around the opening 76 ending at the proximal end 28 on the left side, creating a semi- circle like opening.

[0053] The palm section 16 of the hand encasement 12 is formed of similar flexible and durable material used to form the palm section 16 of the hand encasement 12.

[0054] The top section and palm section are attached on the right and left sides by stitching that begins at the corner of each distal end 28 and continues to the top of the thumbhole 24 on each side and then continues from the bottom of the thumbhole 24 to the proximal end 26 of the hand encasement 12 where the wrist strap 70 is attached. The pair of thumbholes are reinforced with an extra layer of fabric 34 stitched around the opening, wherein the user can allow either thumb to extend outside of the hand encasement 12.

[0055] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the inner stitch 60 connects the top section 14 and the palm section 16. The inner stitching 60, of the glove, forms an interior area that is capable of encasing a hand of a wearer.

[0056] Additionally, the inner stitching 60 allows the top section 14 and the palm section 16 to form openings at the proximal 28 and distal ends 26 of the hand encasement 12. The interior area of the hand encasement 12 is accessible to the hand of the wearer at the opening at the proximal end 28.

[0057] Extra fabric 34 stitched around the entire opening 72 reinforces the opening 72 at the distal end 26 of the hand encasement 12. This opening 72 allows the ends of the user's fingers to extend out of the opening 72 and the fingertips to rest directly against the platform. The fingers are divided, between the third and fourth digits, by top stitching 68 that extends from the distal end 26 of the top and palm sections to approximately 2 inches towards the proximal end.

[0058] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a flexible closure strap 70 is provided. The closure strap 70 is by means of stitching attached around the opening 76 at the proximal end of the hand encasement 12. The closure strap has two ends 76 and 77 that are at the proximal end 28 of the top section 14. The left end 76 is stitched into a reinforced layer of fabric stitched along its edge. The right end 77 extends beyond the reinforcement stitching on the right side and overlaps the left end 76 of the wrist strap. The closure strap is capable of securing the hand encasement 12 over the user's hand during the sanding activity.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hand encasement 12 is attached by double-layered top stitching 64 to a flat platform 18. The flat platform 18 is rectangular in shape and in the preferred embodiment is made of low-density polyethylene sheeting. Alternatives include low-density plastics. The top stitching 64 begins on the left and right side of the hand fitting 12 just below the reinforcement 34 of the finger opening 72 and extends to just above the reinforcement 34 of the thumbholes 24.

[0060] As best seen in FIG. 1A, the platform 18 is further attached by a third set of double layered top stitching 66 which extends approximately 3 to 4 inches horizontally at the proximal end of the hand fitting 12 above the wrist strap 70. As seen in FIG. 2, the platform 18 extends from a few inches beyond the distal end of the hand fitting 12 to the a few inches above the wrist strap 70 at the proximal end.

[0061] As best illustrated in FIG. 1A abrasive sheeting is attached to the front of the platform 18. The abrasive sheeting is attached by removable means such as temporary adhesive, or hook and loop fashion. The abrasive sheeting is the same size as the platform 18. The abrasive sheeting may range from extra fine to extra coarse.

[0062]FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the hand sander apparatus. In the alternative embodiment the hand fitting is attached by removable means to the platform by means such as hook and loop. FIG. 3 further illustrates the option of the hook and loop means of attachment for the sandpaper.

[0063] Lastly, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the wrist strap 70 and the thumbholes 24 of the hand encasement 12.

[0064] The hand sander is simple in construction and use, enabling the sanding jobs of a variety of materials quick and easy. The present invention may be utilized in a variety of sanding applications. The hand sander has a basic design that allows for alternative means of construction in the attachment of the various components. The hand fitting can be constructed of different light and flexible fabric. The platform can vary in stiffness, thickness and shapes.

[0065] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships of those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for being worn on the hand of a user useful for sanding a work piece, comprising: a) a glove, said glove being disposed on the hand of the user, said glove attached either by permanent or removable means to a platform; b) said platform, semi-rigid in nature to which abrasive sheeting is attached by removable means c) means for attaching said glove to said mounting platform; c) means for plurality of abrasive sheeting disposed on said mounting platform; and, d) means of attaching said abrasive sheeting to said platform on said glove.
 1. An apparatus for being worn on the hand of a user useful for sanding a work piece, comprising: a) an encasement disposed on the hand of the user, said encasement attached either permanent or removable means to a platform; b) said platform, semi-rigid in nature to which abrasive sheeting is attached by removable means c) means for attaching said hand encasement to said mounting platform; c) means for plurality of abrasive sheeting disposed on said mounting platform; and, d) means of attaching said abrasive sheeting to said platform on said hand encasement. 